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Monster truck drivers Greg and Zach Adams took home their share of awards in St. Louis, Missouri at the Monster Truck Racing Association’s annual awards banquet.
Monster Truck Racing Association Rookie of the Year Zach Adams debuted Defender in May of 2009
The father and son team stepped up their game in 2009 which earned their Truk Wurks group the 2009 Most Improved Team award. Zach Adams also won the MTRA’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Monster Truck driver Greg Adams and Eliminator will be back in 2010
“I’m very proud of our team, and it means a lot to bring home these two awards,” said Greg Adams, Bar’s Leaks Eliminator driver and Truk Wurks general manager. “We went from a very Spartan one-truck team to a full blown two-truck operation. We’ve also upgraded to a fully vinyl wrapped 18 wheel transporter and moved our team and off-road shop into a new state-of-the-art facility.”
The Defender Monster Truck made its debut in 2009. “We had to work hard just about every night we were not at an event to get the truck finished in time for the outdoor season,” said Adams. “It took its toll on us, but when the truck drove onto the track for the first time in May, it was a total relief.”
Zach Adams steadily improved over the summer, despite the normal problems with a new rig. His career peaked in Albany, New York during his first indoor arena show. Adams piloted his machine to the final round of racing both nights, and lost out by a margin to veteran driver Rick Long in Bigfoot. He also defeated his father in the semi-finals of racing each night.
“I’m very proud of my son,” said Greg Adams. “Learning to drive a monster truck back when I started 21-years-ago was a lot easier than it is today. It may have been a bit more punishing physically, but the trucks were not doing the kinds of things we ask them to do these days. Zach really stepped up in a high-pressure situation and made it look easy. I didn’t cut him any slack.”
The Truk Wurks team is looking forward to a very busy 2010 schedule with their Eliminator and Defender monster trucks which are equipped with K&N products. “The performance of K&N products gives us one less thing to worry about through the racing season,” said Adams. “Our K&N air and oil filters are awesome.”
The Eliminator and Defender Monster Trucks will start up again January 8-9 in Guthrie, Oklahoma.
Steve Waldman isn't just the man behind the Silver State Classic Challenge series, he is also an accomplished, multidimensional, rally and endurance event driver. Waldman, along with Felipe Arguelles, recently took on the challenge of La Carrera Panamerica.
Day 1 at Oaxaca Zocalo
"Felipe Arguelles is my navigator in all Mexico rallies and occasionally at the Silver State Classic Challenge. He is an architect in Mexico, originally from Mexico City, and now resides in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He has been my navigator racing with me for 12 years" says Waldman.
The Basic game plan going into the La Carrera Panamerica is to survive and complete all seven days, and to not miss any speed stages, or transit stages along the way.
"You have to be gentle on the equipment and at the same time fast. Besides the driver and navigator, the support team consists of a team manager and two mechanics in the first support vehicle. That vehicle runs in front of us and meets us at service stops. The second support team follows behind us, in case we break down, they would pick us up and take us to the first support vehicle for service. We have a total of 8 people in the support teams," continues Waldman.
159mph 1954 Crown Victoria
La Carrera Panamericana is not an off-road race, all the roads are paved. The event originally got its start in the early 50´s, by the President Aleman of Mexico, promoting the new road that was built between Guatamala and the United States border – called the Panamerican Highway. The original event ran until 1954 and then in 1988 it was resurrected. It is viewed by over 2 million people along the roads, and in the major cities, and is televised nationwide. Many foreign countries also cover it. Participants ship their cars from as far away as the United Kingdom, Norway, Germany, France, Canada and the United States. Total race mileage is 2,054. It begins in Southern Mexico about 100 miles north of the Guatamalen Border (Tuxla Gutierrez) and continues north until the drivers reach Nuevo Laredo.
Steve Waldman at La Carrera Panamerica
The car that Waldman and Arguelles race is a 1954 Crown Victoria, and it's entered in the Tourismo Mayor class. Top speed of the car is approximately 159mph.
"It is extremely modified with a Camaro front clip and an engine that produces approximately 540 hp and 225 lbs of torque. It has a 9" Ford rear end and truck arms. It also has double coils, double MSD ignition systems, double gas pumps and double fans," adds Waldman.
This is not Waldman's first time at this event. "I have been doing this particular event since 1997 but have been racing in Mexico since 1985. I have also participated in the Media Noche, Acapulco Rally, La Carrera Ensenada and currently participate in the Chihuahua Express, which is a 3-day rally around Chihuahua. I drive a 2006 Mitsubishi Evo IX MR for that event."
The car isn't the only thing that has to be in top shape to compete in this event. "The better physical shape you are in the better you will be able to cope with the event. It is a grueling race due to the length and also because of the different altitudes and temperatures. We go from sea level to as high as 10,000 feet. You have hot, humid, conditions, to icy cold conditions," reflects Waldman. And, it is precisely this combination of challenges that will attract Waldman back for many years to come.
Jeremy Teasley of Adams Performance took his second BST Real Street championship at the AMA Dragbike National Finals at South Georgia Motorsports Park near Valdosta, Georgia. Teasley beat team boss Coby Adams in the final round. It was the second time the two and their Kawaskai ZX14s squared off at an event.
Coby Adams in his Kawasaki ZX14 at the AMA Dragbike National Finals in Valdosta, Georgia
“The all ZX14 Supersport final between Jeremy and I was classic, with Jeremy earning the winning margin at the tree,” said Adams.
Kawasaki superstar Rickey Gadson won Dragbike.com Supersport on ZX14 at South Georgia Motorsports Park
Jeremy Teasley took his second straight BST Real Street Championship at the AMA Dragbike National Finals in Kawasaki ZX14
Teasley also took second place to Kawasaki superstar Rickey Gadson in the Dragbike.com Supersport event. Gadson won by a very slim margin. “The weekend turned out pretty good,” said Adams. “Jeremy’s ZX14 came within a hair’s breadth of a double up win.”
The Adams Performance Team uses K&N air (KA-1406) and oil filters (KN-303C). “I’ve been using K&N since 1987,” said Adams, who also owns Adams Performance in Mooresville, North Carolina. “I use K&N on the motorcycles we build for our customers. It is the best product out there, on and off the track.”
Overall, the 2009 season was dominated by the Kawasaki ZX14s in the AMA Dragbike’s Supersport, Real Street and Super Street Classes. “The Real Street championship meant a lot to us,” said Adams. “It was great.”
MODE Racing was established in February 2009, with the goal of becoming a leader in aftermarket automotive parts design. They specialize in custom intakes, short shifters, cooling, fundamental suspension modifications, racecar setup and track support. They also build show cars that showcase many of their designs.
2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe on Display at the 2009 SEMA Show
K&N met with Billy Brooks of MODE Racing at the 2009 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, where his 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe was on display. A lot of work goes into preparing a vehicle for the SEMA Show. "We installed a few more prototype MODE Racing pieces," explained Brooks, "as well as some APR Performance pieces and a new Seibon prototype hood and trunk. Then we re-decaled the car and had it detailed."
Billy Brooks shares his experience in after-market modifications. "I have been modifying vehicles since 2000," he said. "I have done many projects including a Nissan R35 GT-R, Mitsubishi Evo X, 2008 Subaru Impreza STi, Mazdaspeed 3, Carbon WRX and a 2006 Impreza STi. I have been a part of other vehicle builds for friends and other companies." Brooks has been going to SEMA for 3 years but this was his first year representing his own company.
Billy Brooks says K&N gives MODE Racing intakes a power gain of 5-10 HP
A custom 2010 Genesis Coupe was featured in the Seibon Carbon booth at SEMA and it was equipped with a K&N cone air filter, part RU-4740. "K&N cone filters have performed very well during our initial testing on our prototype intakes," said Brook. "The Genesis is a race car and has been driven hard most of its life. K&N filters are proven to perform well both on the track and on the street. We prefer to use them with our intakes for both their versatility and performance."
MODE Racing has been using K&N air filters since its conception. "K&N filters give our intake systems a net gain of between 5 to 10 horsepower with proper tuning," Brook said. "We use K&N for our prototypes and any future production intake designs. I use K&N on my personal vehicles as well."
Future plans for Mode Racing include creative products and quality service. "We plan on releasing new and exciting products for a variety of platforms, while campaigning both of our vehicles in various racing series and other events," concludes Brooks. "The intent is to involve a choice few title sponsors for our vehicles including K&N."
Billy Brooks' modifications list for his 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T Base, Manual Transmission is as follows:
MODE Racing Intake w/ K&N Filter (RU-4740)
MODE Racing Airbox
MODE Racing Small Battery Kit
MODE Racing Front Mount Intercooler Kit
MODE Racing Oil Cooler Kit
MODE Racing Oil Catch Can Kit
MODE Racing Turboback Exhaust
MODE Racing Radiator Cap
MODE Racing Radiator Hoses
MODE Racing Seat Brackets
MODE Racing/HB Speed Custom Tune via PowerAxel software
JRZ Triple Adjustable Race Coilovers
Deatschwerks Fuel Injectors
Motul Fluids
Cusco 1.5 Way Rear Limited Slip Differential
StopTech 6-pot Front, 4-pot Rear Big Brake Kit
Walbro 255lph Fuel Pump
Seibon carbon fiber trunk lid
Seibon SC-style carbon fiber hood
APR Performance Rear Wing
APR Performance side skirts and front lip
Koyorad Aluminum Racing Radiator
MXP Chassis Braces and Rear Strut Tower Bar
Race Technologies Dash 2 and DL-1 with water temperature, transmission temperature, rear differential temperature, and boost pressure sensors
AEM Gauge-Type Wideband UEGO Controller
Defi BF Series Oil Temperature Gauge
Defi BF Series Oil Pressure Gauge
Sparco Steering Wheel
Prodrive Splash Rapfix Quick Release
Sparco Circuit Seat (Driver) and Sparco Evo Seat (Passenger)
Schroth 6-point Racing Harness
Custom Rollcage
Enkei NT03+M 18x9.5 Front and 18x10.5 Rear Wheels, Powdercoated White
Toyo R888 tires, 255/40/R18 Front and 285/30/R18 Rear
Starting position for the Silver State Classic Challenge
How crazy-cool would it be to legally drive full-throttle down a long stretch of desert highway with nothing to stop you except the limitations of your vehicle? You can find out for yourself twice year. For the past 22 years, every May and September, the State of Nevada closes down 90 miles of Route 318, and drivers from around the world converge on the little town of Ely, located in the central high desert of Nevada. They come to this little piece of motorsport paradise to experience the adrenaline-rush first-hand.
1997 Dodge Viper GTS went 165 mph during most of the run
To differentiate between the two events, the May event is actually called the Nevada Open Road Challenge, and the September event is the Silver State Classic Challenge.
"This is a 90 mile rally (cars start at one minute intervals) on a fenced and closed public highway that is open to anyone with a car," says Steve Waldman, one of the original founders of the event.
The idea of the rally is to average as close to your chosen target speed as possible. The speed classes start at 95 mph and increase in 5 mph increments to the 150 class. There is also a 160, 170, 180 and Unlimited class.
"We have participants from all over the world and many have been in various auto magazines in Japan, United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, and the United States, to name a few. We have been on numerous televised shows such as Hard Copy, Discovery Channel, ESPN, National Geographic, Stacy David GearZ-TV, etc," adds Waldman.
Felipe Arguelle & Steve Waldman
"I entered the 150 mph class, and because of the safety equipment that is in my car, I am technically inspected to 165mph. We did run most of the run at 165 mph too. It took my navigator, Felipe Arguelle, and I approximately 36 minutes. For this event I drove a 1997 Dodge Viper GTS."
Waldman and Arguella finished this year's event in 14th place. Their average speed was 149.9038, running in one of the most competitive of all classes. All results are posted on their website along with Radar Trap speeds for each vehicle.
"I am one of the original founders of this event, which began in 1988. I am also the Chairman of the Board and the President of the non-profit corporation. None of the BOD´s make a salary from these events. The entry fees and the sponsors help to keep the event running," says Waldman
The SSCC has two Guinness World Records to its credit, one is for the fastest speed on a Public Highway (which was an average speed of 207.78mph) and the other record is for Fastest Road Race.
This is a very serious event and the Tech Inspections are completely thorough. If you do not comply with the safety guidelines in the Rule Book - you do not run. The Rookies are required to attend the Mario Andretti Racing School in Las Vegas on the race weekend in order to qualify. On their way to Ely, Nevada, the events Rookie coordinator actually takes them up course on Hwy. 318 and gives them pointers along the way. When rookies first register, they are sent a DVD that provides a visual run-through of the course, in addition to some initial instructions to study before ever even attending the event.
"We have had participants show up at the start-line, only to discover they've locked their keys in the car. Actor John Schneider, on his first run, actually ran out of gas driving in the General Lee and he had to wait until the event was officially over before being rescued. We have had an 80-year-old participant who broke his ribs while working on his car in Vegas, only to get to Ely in time for the drivers meeting and run the next day. This is a very compelling and thoroughly electrifying event."
"I use a K&N Air Filter system (Part #57-1508) and Oil Filters (Part #HP-2004) - I presently own 5 vehicles and use only K&N products in all of them, whether they are raced or not," volunteers Waldman.
"I have entered this event since its inception, first driving in a Pantera, then in a Toyota Twin Turbo Supra, and now in the Viper. And yes, I do plan on continuing to run in this event for as long as possible."
2010 event dates:
Nevada Open Road Challenge May 13-16,
Silver State Classic Challenge September 16-19,
